Top Trends for 2025: A spotlight on UK consumer rights

Evolving consumer trends are reshaping the way UK businesses operate. These shifts are accompanied by a growing focus on consumer rights: with the cost-of-living crisis ongoing, people are more in need of protection in a rapidly changing landscape. 

Here’s our take on the top consumer trends predicted for 2025, and what rights we hope to see expanded for UK consumers. 

1. Sustainability and ethical consumerism

According to CMS Wire, consumers are prioritising sustainability more than ever before. 

From choosing products with minimal environmental impact to supporting brands with ethical labour practices, sustainability has become a key factor when it comes to choosing products and services. But “greenwashing” remains a pervasive problem. 

The Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) anti-greenwashing rule came into effect on May 31, 2024 and requires that sustainability claims about products or services are ‘clear, fair, and not misleading’ as well as ‘consistent with the product or service’s sustainability characteristics.’ We hope to see the UK government and consumer watchdogs further enhance legislation to ensure transparency and protect consumers from misleading sustainability claims.

2. AI-driven services and digital shopping

With AI transforming e-commerce, hyper-personalised recommendations and virtual shopping experiences are becoming the norm. While this may be improving convenience, there are also concerns about data privacy. 

UK consumer rights groups are advocating for clearer rules on data privacy and the ethical use of AI, ensuring consumers are informed about how their data is used and protected against manipulative practices.

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act, passed in May 2024 and coming into force this year, will give the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) additional tools to identify and address any competition issues in AI markets and other digital markets affected by recent developments in AI.

In 2025, we also expect that the new government’s AI to be introduced. Aimed at the “most advanced AI models” such as ChatGPT, it should make existing voluntary safety commitments between companies and the government legally binding and to turn the UK’s AI Safety Institute into regulatory body. 

3. The subscription economy 

From music streaming and fitness centres to online learning platforms and meal kits, the subscription economy continues to expand. Yet there are all kinds of issues, including ‘subscription traps’ and a lack of transparency about the terms of service contracts.

The new Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act, requires businesses to provide consumers with clear information before signing up for a subscription, including details of the minimum contract length, how to end the contract, and any higher rates after a trial period. Businesses offering subscription services to UK consumers will need to comply with these new regulations from April 2025

We’re optimistic that this year will see improvements when it comes to the fairness of  cancellation policies and companies will do more to provide clear, upfront terms to prevent consumers from being trapped in contracts or paying for services they no longer want.

4. Secondhand selling 

Resale platforms are booming as consumers turn to secondhand marketplaces for clothing, electronics, and furniture. This trend is fuelled by both the push to reduce waste and the cost-of-living crisis, with people making extra cash by selling unwanted goods. 

We hope to see this trend bolstered in 2025, and improvements made to pre-existing platforms. But anyone using online selling as a side-hustle must be aware of new tax rules: as of January 1 2025, online platforms will start sharing sales data with HMRC as part of new reporting requirements that came into effect at the start of 2024.

This change applies only to those selling over 30 items, earning approximately £1,700, or those classified as traders. For casual sellers, who are decluttering and selling unwanted items, there is no tax liability and nothing will change. 

5. Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) regulation

The growing popularity of BNPL services has raised concerns about transparency and unaffordable debt – especially since there is little legislation in place protecting people who enter into these types of credit contracts. Thankfully, in 2025, we will see stricter regulations on BNPL in the UK. 

Proposals made by the government will bring all BNPL companies under the supervision of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and apply the Consumer Credit Act. This means that providers of BNPL will have to conduct proper affordability checks and present clear terms, safeguarding consumers from falling into financial distress: giving people the same rights and level of protection as they have with other financial products.

If you have any thoughts on this topic, or any other consumer issues you would like us to cover, feel free to get in touch with us at support@resolver.co.uk.